Escambia Property Tax Discount Ends Soon
December 26, 2015
All four Escambia County Tax Collector offices will be open regular business hours on New Year’s Eve, according to Tax Collector Janet Holley. Persons paying their 2015 real estate and tangible personal property taxes who want to receive the three percent discount must make their payments by December 31.
In order to receive the three percent discount and have your tax payment receipted with a December date, payments must be:
- received in the tax office by close of business December 31 or
- made on the tax collector website by midnight December 31.
Additionally, payments mailed with a December 31 postmark or left in a 24-hour drop boxes after hours on that date will receive the three percent discount but will be dated in January.
Residents are encouraged to pay taxes online; however, other options are available, such as payment by phone, by mail, and in person at any of the four convenient tax collector offices.
Drive thru service and 24-hour drop boxes are available at all locations.
Escambia County Tax Collector Offices will be open regular business hours — 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Offices are located at:
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North W Street
- Molino – 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A
- Warrington – 4051 Barrancas Avenue, Suite A
All offices will be closed December 24 and December 25 in observance of Christmas, and closed January 1 for New Year’s Day.
For more information, call (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252.
No Serious Injuries In Christmas Day Cantonment Crash
December 26, 2015
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash Christmas afternoon on Pompano Street, between Tate Road and East Kingsfield Road in Cantonment. Their injuries were not considered life threatening. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not yet been released. Escambia County EMS and the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
FEA Files Complaint Against Teacher Bonus Program
December 26, 2015
The state’s largest teachers union filed a complaint over a program that rewards teachers for high scores on college admissions tests, saying the “Best and Brightest” bonuses discriminate on the basis of age and race.
The charges, filed by the Florida Education Association with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations, come weeks before lawmakers are set to consider extending the bonus program, which was added to the state budget during a June special session.
“Too many high-quality teachers in Florida were denied access to this bonus program because of the unfair and discriminatory rules and short timeline set up by lawmakers,” union President Joanne McCall said in a statement announcing the challenge. “This bonus plan wasn’t thought out very well and wasn’t properly vetted in the Legislature and that has resulted in many good teachers unfairly denied access to this bonus.”
The “Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program” gives annual bonuses of up to $10,000 to teachers who are highly rated and have SAT or ACT scores that rank in the top fifth of test results. Lawmakers set aside $44 million for the program this year, but the spending plan only made it temporary.
During its regular session beginning next month, the Legislature is set to consider bills that would extend the program.
Until now, critics have mostly knocked the program for misusing SAT or ACT scores, which are generally used for college applications. But the complaint goes beyond that, saying that the way the award is structured precludes older teachers from getting the bonuses, gives an unfair advantage to younger teachers and discriminates against African-Americans and Latinos.
For example, the union said there is no “percentile data” — used to determine the top fifth of test takers — for SATs or ACTs taken before 1972. The association also claims that “teachers older than 40 years old” had trouble getting the required information about their test scores before an Oct. 1 deadline.
The program also exempts first-year teachers from the requirement that recipients be rated “highly effective,” something the union says is an unfair advantage.
Meanwhile, critics of the SAT and ACT have long complained that the tests are biased against African-Americans and Latinos.
A spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Education, which was targeted in the charges along with the state’s school districts, said in an emailed statement that the agency hasn’t received the complaint the union “alleges it filed” against the program.
“The department has no comment other than to state that, as always, the department will cooperate fully with any required regulatory process or review,” spokeswoman Meghan Collins said.
Rep. Erik Fresen, a Miami Republican who has pushed the Best and Brightest program, blasted the union’s complaint in a text message. Fresen, who chairs the House committee that oversees education funding, said more than 5,000 teachers qualified for the award this year.
“It is unfortunate that the teachers’ unions constantly oppose any payment structure effort that is not based on time served,” Fresen wrote. “It’s akin to the infantile argument of ‘if I can’t have any neither can you.’ ”
by The News Service of Florida
Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate
December 26, 2015
Here are some family time favorite recipes for this Christmas weekend.
Today’s recipes include Traditional Oatmeal Cookies, Crockpot Candy and Rice Krispie Treats — perfect recipes for the family to make together. And what would Christmas be without Hot Chocolate? Our quick and easy recipe can easily be increased to make enough for everyone, plus it’s easy to include some extra cocoa powder for a deeper, darker treat.
Crock Pot Candy
- 16 oz Salted Peanuts
- 16 oz UnSalted Peanuts
- 4 oz German Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Almond Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Butterscotch Morsels
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cook on low for 2 hours. Do not stir or open lid. After 2 hours, turn off crock pot, stir candy and drop in clusters onto wax paper. Let cool and enjoy. This recipe will make 70-90 pieces of candy, depending on the size.
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in oats. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheet, remove to wire rack.
Rice Krispie Treats
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (10 oz., about 40) pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes 24 squares.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter with marshmallows on high setting for 2 minutes in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir together when melted. Microwave again on high for 1 additional minute. Stir in cereal, mixing until well coated. Press into pan as above.
Hot Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 1 c. milk
- a bit of vanilla, if desired
Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.
Christmas Gift For Flomaton — No Major Flooding
December 26, 2015
It was a welcomed Christmas gift for Flomaton residents…forecasted major flooding never happened.
Big Escambia Creek was near the forecast crest of 19 feet by mid-morning. But the level of floodwaters, based upon historic precedents, simply wass not that high according to local officials and photographs. A “human read’ flood scale showed the river crest at below 15 feet.
The National Weather Service is investigating a possible problem with the automated USGS sensors that measure the water levels and inaccurate readings led to a forecast that was too high.
Major flooding of homes and businesses along Highway 31 did not and won’t occur. Both Highway 31 and Highway 29 remained open, with no closures.
Pictured: The Big Escambia Creek at or near high water level Christmas morning, leading to minor flooding in the “usual” areas around Turtle Point and Hurricane Park in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com photos by Katie Fowler, click to enlarge.
Warm Weekend, Up Near 80 Saturday And Sunday
December 26, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Areas of fog after 9pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Southeast wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 70. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. West wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
New Year’s Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 57.
Joel T. “Pat” Patterson
December 26, 2015
Joel T. “Pat” Patterson, 80, of Seminole, AL passed away Monday, December 21, 2015. He was born and raised in Limestone County, AL. In high school, Pat played basketball, baseball, football and ran track for West Limestone High School. He held the high jump record for years. He served two years in the U.S. Army at the Panama Canal, moved to Pensacola in 1959 with Chemstand Corporation and retired after more than 30 years. He played softball for Chemstrand and was known for his pitching style. He coached his daughters’ softball teams and was known as Coach “P”.
He is preceded in death by his father, Grady Patterson; mother, Amy Belle Patterson; brothers, Eugene Patterson and Hartwell Patterson; sister, Sarah Schrimsher.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Rose Patterson; daughters, Tina Patterson-Reece and Joy and Jimmy Norton; grandsons, Ryne (Traci) Norton and Cameron Reece; granddaughter, Sarah Norton; and a very special niece, Gina Schrimsher.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Residence, 10075 Hillview Road, Pensacola, FL 32514.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Sylvia Joan Johnson
December 26, 2015
Sylvia Joan Johnson, 83 of Atmore, passed away Monday, December 21, 2015, in Mobile. She was a homemaker and also worked in retail for many years. She was born on March 13, 1932, in Sulligant, AL, to the late Thomas Garland and Alice Millican Strawbridge. She was an active member of the McRae Methodist Church in Atmore.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Johnson; one son, Jim Johnson; grandson, Chad Phillips; granddaughter, Brandi Sciro; three brothers, Priddy, James, and Ronald Strawbridge; one sister, Wadeema Guyton; and a son-in-law, Bill Phillips.
She is survived by her son, Charles Gary (Jana) Donaldson of Flomaton; four daughters, Judy (Clark) Thompson and Peggy Phillips, all of Atmore; Patty (Gerald) Parmer of Huxford and Marilyn (Danny) Stone of Birmingham; two brothers, Ollie (Rachel) Strawbridge of Destin and Lewis (Hazel) Strawbridge of Atmore; one sister, Sue (Clarence) Roley of Bay Minette; grandchildren, Shelley, Shane, Blake, Hope, Courtney, Valerie, Sheldon, Brandon, Chaselyn, Tiffany, Brannon, Brooke, Phillip and Robin; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and many special family and friends.
Services were held Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Hodge officiating.
Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers were Shane Godwin, Blake Godwin, Michael Donaldson, Steven Donaldson, Brandon Phillips, Shawn Lassiter, Chris Harrison, and Sheldon Phillips.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Lucy B. Midgett
December 26, 2015
Lucy B. Midgett, 90, of Pensacola, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2015. She was born on April 9, 1925, in Westville, FL to the late Thomas and Francis Bauldree.
Lucy was in the United States Army during WII, as a nurse and was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service award and the VE Day award. Lucy was a nurse by trade. She loved fishing, playing the piano and guitar. Lucy’s main passion in life was being a mother and grandmother.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Gladys Wingate; her daughter, Bobbie Russell; and her son, Louis Ray Jones.
Lucy is survived by her four children, Patricia Garcia (David), Shirley Perkins (Bill), Gayle Childers (Rene), and Don Russell (Wendy).
Lucy has 152 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 28, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Bro. Gene Hudson officiating.
Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. prior to services.
Pallbearers will be Lien Hoang, Jason Toth, Micahshae Donaghy, Hunter Donaghy, Thomas Douglas, Cody Douglas, Tommy Broxson, Jay Broxson.
Lam Hoang will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
Shirley S. Jackson
December 26, 2015
Shirley S. Jackson, 76, of Bratt, passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2015, in Atmore. She was born on February 16, 1939, in Uriah, AL to the late Stephen Bud and Frances Rolin Stabler. She was a sub mail carrier for several years.
She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Horace C. Jackson.
She is survived by her children, Darrell Wayne (Linda) Jackson of Bratt and Pamela Jackson (Dewayne) Brown of Davisville; two sisters, Brenda (David) Morley of Mobile and Glenda Campbell of Pensacola; grandchildren, Nicholas Jackson, Meagan Travis, Chris Brown; and great-grandchildren Braedyn Jackson and Benton Travis.
Graveside services were held Saturday, December 26, 2015 at the Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, with Elder Harold Brown officiating.
Burial was in Godwin Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Dewayne Brown, Chris Brown, Nicholas Jackson and Frank “Punk” Jackson.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimers Foundation.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.